Laundry bag

ABSTRACT

oiled garments are placed in a mesh laundry bag. Two holes in the bag are placed over a spindle of a washing machine so the spindle passes through the center of the bag. Releasable closures around the holes prevent garments from slipping out of the bag during washing. The bag allows delicate garments to be washed and held separate from other garments in the washing machine.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 60/508,814, filed Oct. 3, 2003, the complete contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to laundry bags, including laundry bags used for accumulating soiled laundry as well as for holding laundry during washing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laundry bags are used to hold soiled clothing and other items and transport them to the Laundromat for washing. But when the laundry is removed from the laundry bag it sometimes falls on the floor of the Laundromat and acquires undesirable matter which further contaminates laundry being washed. There is thus a need for an improved way to transport soiled laundry to a washer while minimizing the soiling of the laundry contained in the laundry bag.

After being washed and/or dried, the cleaned laundry is often placed back in to the same laundry bags in which the soiled laundry was previously transported. The laundry bag may accumulate dirt from the soiled laundry and redeposit it on the freshly cleaned laundry. There is thus a need for a laundry bag that is as clean as the clothes contained therein, or cleaner.

Small containers are sold so that delicate items which are more easily damaged, such as nylon stockings, can be placed in the containers for washing, with the small container protecting the delicate item from damage during washing. These containers are placed in the washer with the other clothing. But the small containers can become entwined with larger items such as sheets, and be inadequately washed or be damaged. There is a need for an improved way to wash such delicate items, and to wash other items.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Soiled laundry is placed in a bag. The bag is fastened to the spindle of a washing machine so that the location of the bag is restrained relative to the spindle. The spindle can be inserted through the laundry bag by locating two openings on opposite walls of the bag, preferably so the spindle passes through the center of the bag, and through or close to the center of gravity of the laundry in the bag.

The spinning causes these openings to enlarge, and it is advantageous, but optional, to restrain them from enlarging enough so that clothing can slip out of the bag between the opening and the spindle. Releasable closures can be used to restrict the openings from enlarging. A drawstring in a hem around the opening is believed suitable, as is an elastic member around one or more of the openings. Releasable locks or knots can be used to restrain drawstrings from opening.

Access to the inside of the laundry bag can be through the same openings which allow passage of the spindle. Alternatively, a separate access opening could be provided to insert and remove laundry.

In a further embodiment, the laundry bag has an annular shape, like a donut, with the central opening fitting around the spindle. In this, and the other configurations, more than one laundry bag can be fastened to the spindle at the same time, and other clothing can be placed loosely in the tub of the washing machine along with the laundry bags.

This laundry bag and its method of use allow delicate garments to be washed safely. By placing garments from separate persons in separate laundry bags, it also allows the laundry of several persons to be simultaneous washed, while still keeping the laundry separate during washing, and making for easier identification after washing.

Thus, one embodiment of this invention includes a laundry bag for washing laundry in a washing machine having a spindle with a base and a shaft perpendicular to the base, the shaft having a diameter. The bag is made of a porous material and has at least one spindle opening forming a spindle passage that extends through opposing walls of the bag. The spindle opening is sized to allow the shaft to pass through the opening during use of the bag in washing. The bag has an access opening sized to allow laundry to be inserted into and removed from the bag. The bag has a releasable closure around at least a portion of the access opening to vary the size of the access opening.

Preferably, but optionally, the bag has two spindle openings on opposing sides of the bag with the spindle openings being sized about the same diameter as the shaft adjacent the material of the bag defining the openings when the bag is mounted on the shaft. Preferably, but optionally, at least one of the spindle openings has a releasable closure around it. Preferably, but optionally, a strengthening member extends around the at least one spindle opening. Preferably, but optionally, each of the spindle openings has a releasable closure around it, and at least one of the spindle openings has a lock to restrain the size of that at lest one spindle opening. Preferably, but optionally, the bag has an annular shape with the annular shape defining the spindle opening and spindle passage.

In a further embodiment, a laundry bag is provided for washing clothes in a washing machine having a spindle. The bag is a mesh bag having at least one spindle opening defining the location of a spindle passageway through the bag at about the center of the bag. The spindle opening is about the same size as the spindle which is immediately adjacent the portions of the bag defining the at least one spindle opening during washing when the bag is placed on the spindle for washing. The bag preferably, but optionally has an access opening in the bag, preferably with a releasable closure to restrict the size of the access opening during washing. In one embodiment the passageway is defined by an inner wall of an annulus. In another embodiment, the passageway is defined by two opposing spindle openings formed in walls of the bag. In a variation of this embodiment, one of the two spindle openings is weighted to better hold the adjacent portion of the bag against the spindle during washing. A strengthening member is preferably placed around at least one of the spindle openings.

In a further embodiment a laundry bag is provided formed of a mesh bag having spindle opening means for allowing passage of a spindle through the bag. The bag also has means for releasably closing the spindle opening means. The bag can optionally have lock means for releasably locking the size of the spindle opening means. The bag also optionally has means for strengthening the spindle opening means. The bag can further optionally have access means for placing laundry into and removing laundry from the bag.

There is also advantageously provided a method of washing clothing in water in a washing machine having a rotating spindle. The method includes placing laundry to be washed in a bag made of mesh material with sufficient porosity to allow the water to freely pass through the mesh during washing. The bag is placed over the spindle by passing the spindle through one or more openings in the bag. The bag and the laundry within the bag are washed by rotating the spindle. After washing the bag is removed from the spindle.

The method further optionally includes removing the laundry from the bag and drying the laundry out of the bag (or in the bag). The method also optionally includes restraining enlargement of the at least one opening during rotation of the spindle by placing a strengthening member around the opening. Restraining enlargement of the opening can include attaching opposing sides of the bag with an annular wall, or placing a strengthening member around two opposing openings which surround the spindle to restrain the size of the two openings during rotation, or placing an elastic member around the at least one opening to restrain the size of the opening during rotation, or placing a drawstring around the at least one opening, tightening the drawstring and locking the drawstring to define the size of the opening at least one opening during rotation. In a further embodiment, the method can also optionally include placing more than one such bag containing laundry on the same spindle during washing. In a still further embodiment the method can include placing more than one such bag containing laundry on the same spindle during washing and placing indicia on each such bag that is associated with a person whose laundry is in the bag.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a laundry bag of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a washing machine partially cut away to show the spindle and laundry bag of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as in FIG. 3, showing a further embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the laundry bag on a spindle;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the laundry bag on a spindle;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along 7-7 of FIG. 8, but showing a spindle;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the laundry bag of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a laundry bag 10 is provided. The bag is preferably, but optionally made of a flexible material. The material is preferably a mesh material through which water or other cleaning fluids can freely flow to wash the items in the bag 10. The term mesh includes spaced-apart strands defining openings between the strands that are larger than the size of the strand, perforated materials, and cloth woven to form openings between adjacent strands which form the cloth. By making the mesh smaller or finer, water still flows freely through the bag during washing but at a slower rate with less agitation of the items 30 in the bag 10, so that more delicate items can be washed more gently. A bag 10 has a body 12 made of flexible fabric mesh or nylon mesh is believed suitable. The mesh is advantageously small enough to prevent the items contained in the bag 10 from falling out and from protruding outside the bag 10 where the items could be snagged or damaged. A mesh with open spaces of about 0.1 inches or smaller between the strands forming the openings is believed preferable for clothing, but larger and smaller open spaces could be used. An elastic or stretchable material such as Lycra could be used for the bag 10. The laundry bag 10 can vary in size and shape. A bag about 24-36 inches high with a bottom 14 and a first spindle opening 16 opposite the bottom 14 is believed suitable. Soiled laundry and other items 30 can be placed into the bag 10 through the spindle opening 16, in which case the opening 16 also functions as an access opening.

A first releasable closure device 18 such as a drawstring, zipper, snaps, toggles, zip-locks, elastic member or other releasable closures are preferably provided around the spindle opening 16. The closure device 18 allows the size of the opening 16 to vary, but does not completely close the opening as a washing machine spindle extends through the opening as described later. FIG. 1 shows the closure device as comprising a drawstring 18. The spindle opening 16 is advantageously, but optionally, strengthened by a strengthening member 20 such as a hem or collar to which the material forming the bag 10 is fastened. In the illustrated embodiment the drawstring is also placed within a hem which comprises the strengthening member 20.

Opposite the spindle opening 16 is a second spindle opening 22, preferably defined by a second strengthening member 24. A second releasable closure device 26 is preferably, but optionally located on or around the second spindle opening 22. The second closure 26 can comprise a drawstring, zipper, snaps, toggles, zip-locks, elastic member or other releasable closures. FIG. 1 shows the second closure 26 as comprising a drawstring 26. The drawstrings 18, 26 could be of cord, or of elastic material. Soiled laundry can be placed into the bag 10 through the spindle opening 22, in which case the opening 22 also functions as an access opening. Preferably, the opening 22 located on the bottom of the bag 10 has a diameter that is fixed to correspond to the diameter of shaft 44 of spindle 32 which is engaged by the opening during washing. The opening 22 thus preferably, but optionally, has a maximum size smaller than the opening 16. That makes it easier to close off the bottom of the bag either by a smaller diameter opening or by using a smaller closure 26, such as a smaller elastic member or drawstring, and it makes it easier to prevent items 30 from falling out the bottom opening 22.

Preferably, but optionally, a locking device 28 is on one or more of the closures 18, 26. A cord lock device is believed suitable for the locking device 28 when drawstrings are used for the closure. When drawstrings are used, the drawstring could be knotted to form the locking device. Preferably though, a device that clamps the drawstring to prevent movement of the drawstring relative to the clamp is preferred, and a variety of such clamping devices are known and available.

The spindle openings 16, 22 define a spindle passageway through the bag 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in use an item 30 to be cleaned, such as soiled laundry, clothing, undergarments, nylons, silks, knitted sweaters, shirts, pants, towels, fabrics, etc. are placed in the bag 10 through one or more of the access openings 16, 22. Preferably the items 30 are placed in the bag using only one of the openings 16, 22, preferably the spindle opening 16 in the top of the bag 10. The bag 10 containing the items 30 is then fitted onto a spindle 32 inside a wash tub 34 of a washing machine 36. The spindle 32 is rotated by a motor 38. The spindle openings 16, 22 allow the spindle 32 to pass through the bag 10 along the spindle passageway, shown by line 39. The spindle passageway through the bag 10 coincides with the spindle rotational axis during washing when the bag is place don the spindle 32.

By moving the bag 10 and items 30 as the spindle 32 is inserted into the bag, the items 30 will move aside and allow passage of the spindle through the items contained in the bag. The washing machine is then activated and the entire bag 30 and its contents such as items 30 are washed, preferably going through a rinse, spin, wash, spin, rinse and spin-dry cycle, or combinations thereof. The bag 10 and its contents may be washed alone, or washed with other items in the washing machine. When the wash cycle is completed, the bag 10 and items within the bag are removed by pulling the bag off the spindle 32. The items in the bag 10 can then be removed for drying, or the entire bag 10 and some or all of its contents can be placed in a dryer. To allow such drying, the material from which the bag 10 is made must be suitable for repeated placement in a dryer without harming the garments or items 10 inside the bag 10.

The strengthening members 20, 24 encircle the spindle 32 and help keep the bag 10 on the spindle 32. Fixing the bag 10 around the spindle 32 helps prevent the weight in the bag 10 centered around the spindle, and helps prevent the tub 34 from becoming off-centered as the spindle rotates during spin cycles. The strengthening members 20, 24 also preferably help keep the spindle openings 16, 22 from tearing or breaking during rotation of the spindle 32. The closure member 18, 26 also preferably, but optionally helps keep the bag on the spindle 32. Advantageously the spindle openings 16, 22 are centered on a symmetrical axis of the bag 10 so the bag 10 and its contained items 30 are centered and distributed evenly around the spindle 32. But the spindle openings 16, 22 need not be symmetrically located and need not be diametrically opposite one another. Advantageously the openings 16, 22 in the bag 10 are located so that the spindle passes close enough to the center of gravity of the bag, and presumably of the bag when filled with laundry, that the spinning of the spindle does not create an unbalance sufficient to cause the washing machine to shut off.

Advantageously one or more of the closures 18, 24 are cinched snugly around the spindle 32 and fastened by lock(s) 28. The spindle openings 16, 22 could be tight around the spindle so as to cause the edge of the bag defining the openings 16, 22 to move with the spindle as it oscillates during wash cycles. But preferably the edges of the openings are slightly away from the spindle a distance such that items 30 in the bag 10 do not readily leave the bag through the openings 26, 22 during washing and rinsing in the washing machine. As the spindle 32 rotates the bag 10 and items 30 within the bag will move away from the spindle because of centrifugal force, and that will cause the spindle openings 16, 22 to want to enlarge. If the spindle opening 16 enlarge sufficiently items 30 could leave the bag partially or entirely or become lodged between the spindle and the bag. All of these various relative dimensions that prevent damage to the laundry are best described by describing the openings 16, 22 as preferably being about the same size as the diameter of the spindle which is immediately adjacent the portions of the bag 10 defining the openings during washing.

Preferably, but optionally, at least one of the closures 18, 26 and the strengthening members 20, 24 helps restrain the size of the spindle openings 16, 22 from enlarging during the various wash cycles. Advantageously the spindle openings 16, 22 are restrained sufficiently so that the items 30 do not pass through the spindle openings 16, 22 during the wash cycles. Forming the closure members 18, 26 of a drawstring with a lock 28 is one way of restraining this enlargement of spindle openings 16, 22. Surrounding one or both spindle openings 16, 22 with an elastic member is also believed suitable. Making the closure member 18, 22 or the strengthening member 20, 24 of elastic material is believed possible as the elastic members will expand as the bag 10 is placed on the spindle 32.

Referring to FIG. 4, it is preferable, but optional to have a restraint 40 on the spindle 32 in order to help ensure the bag 10 does not come off the spindle during washing while allowing the bag to be placed on the spindle during loading of the washing machine 36. The spindle 32 typically has a large diameter, disc shaped bottom or base 42 and a cylindrical shaft 44 extending vertically from the base. The spindle 32 has a distal end or top 46 opposite the base. The restraint 40 is preferably placed adjacent the top 46.

The restraint 32 can take various forms such as a collar on the spindle 32 or a flange mounted to the distal end 46 of the spindle. A resilient ring (e.g., an O ring) made of elastomeric material cold be fit over the distal end 46 of the spindle 32 and resiliently engage the spindle to form the restraint 32. The restraint could comprise one or more discrete projections or posts extending radially outward from the spindle 32 and configured to engage the edge of the opening 16 or engage the strengthening member 18 to limit movement of the bag 10 along the spindle 32.

In order to help restrain movement of the bag 10 along the spindle 32, the bottom spindle opening 22 could be weighted, as by using a heavy, resilient material in the bottom strengthening member 24 to form a weighted ring that would rest against the base 42 of the spindle. Various versions of the restraint 40 could be used together. These restraints 40 are preferred, but optional. The restraints 40 are preferably removable from spindle 32, but could be permanently attached to the spindle.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, further embodiments are shown having more than two openings. In these further embodiments the bag 10 takes the form of an elongated cylinder (FIG. 5) and a thick disk or short, fat cylinder (FIG. 6). The first, top spindle opening 16 is shown along with strengthening member 20, but the second, bottom spindle opening 22 and its strengthening member 24 are not shown in the illustrated views as they are concealed from view. The spindle 32 fits through these openings. A third opening 48 is provided in the bag 30, preferably, but optionally on a radially outward facing side of the bag 30. A closure member 18 surrounds the opening 48 to open and close the opening, and preferably a lock 28 is provided on the closure member to limit the size of the opening 48. In these embodiments the strengthening members 20, 24 are not required, but could be provided if desired.

The third opening 48 allows items 30 to be inserted into and removed from bag 30, while the first and second openings 16, 20 allow the spindle 24 to pass through the bag 10. In these embodiments the first and second openings 16, 20 are preferably surrounded by an elastic material so that the openings are generally closed so that soiled laundry or items 30 do not fall out of the bag 10 when the bag is not on the spindle 32. The third opening 48 forms the preferred access opening through which items 30 are place into and removed from the bag 10.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 resembles an elongated duffle bag in shape, with spindle openings 16, 22 located at about the middle of the bag 10, where the center of gravity would be if items 30 were evenly distributed within the bag 10. The bag of FIG. 5 has the items 30 distributed along a line along the longitudinal axis of the elongated bag 10 because of the elongated shape of the bag 10. The embodiment of FIG. 6 has the spindle openings 16, 22 near the center of the disk shaped bag 10, so that items 30 are generally evenly dispersed entirely about the rotational axis of the spindle 32 extending through the spindle openings 16, 22. The spindle openings 16, 22 are preferably at or near the center of gravity of the bag 10 when the bag 10 is placed on the spindle and items 30 evenly dispersed within the bag. Because the spindle 32 rotates during washing, the center of gravity should be centered about the spindle and thus the first and second spindle openings 16, 22 are located at or near the envisioned center of gravity of the bag. The location will vary with the shape of the bag 10.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7-8 in which the bag 10 comprises an annular body which resembles a short cylinder having a central, cylindrical opening 54. It resembles a donut. The single opening 54 fits over the spindle 32, preferably snuggly and is thus sized about the same size as a washing machine spindle. Such spindles typically have diameters of about 3-5, and preferably about 3-5 inches, so the axial hole or opening 54 is similarly sized. The diameter of the opening 54 may be slightly smaller if the material used to make the bag 10 is elastic. One or more access openings 48 are provided on one or more sides of the bag 10. The access opening 48 is shown on a radially outward side of the annular bag 10, but it could be located on the top side of the bag, or elsewhere. The depicted access opening 48 is not located or configured to engage the spindle 32, and is only an access opening.

In the annular or disc configurations of FIGS. 6 and 7-8, the bags 10 have opposing top and bottom panels 54 that are generally planar. During the spin portion of the wash cycle the bag 10 rotates about spindle 10 and the top and bottom panels 54 must restrain the centrifugal force seeking to enlarge the diameter of the bag 10. Thus, the panels 54 are preferably, but optionally, strengthened by using a heaver material than the other portions of the bag 10. An inner, cylindrical wall 58 (FIGS. 7-8) can be provided to help restrain radially outward movement of the bag 10 by centering the bag on the spindle 32 during rotation. Preferably, but optionally, the inner wall 58 is of a strong material to resist enlarging the opening 54 during rotation of the bag 10 during the spin portions of the washing cycle. The inner wall 58 can be viewed as the strengthening member 20, whether of stronger material than the other portions of the bag, because it defines the opening 54 and restrains enlargement of that opening.

The bag 10 thus provides a means for containing items 30 to be washed within a washing machine 36. The spindle openings 16, 22, 54 provide means for allowing a spindle 32 to pass through the bag 10 to mount the bag on the spindle. Means for restraining the spindle openings 16, 22 are provided by the strengthening members 20, 24 and inner wall 58. Access opening means are provided by the first, second and third spindle openings 16, 22 and 48. When the bag 10 has access spindle openings 16, 22 opposite each other, the openings allow easy removal of the items 30 from the bag 10 by opening whichever opening is lowest so gravity urges the items out of the bag. Otherwise, the bag 10 can be inverted to place the selected opening downward so items 30 may be urged by gravity out of the bag, or a person can reach inside the bag 10 with hands or other grasping instruments to remove the items from the bag 10.

The bags 10 may be of various sizes and shapes. Thus, more than one bag 10 may be placed on a spindle 32 and washed at the same time. This allows simultaneous washing of several bags 10 of laundry in the same washing machine 36. That makes it easier to sort the laundry associated with each person. For example, a son's garments may be placed in one bag 10, a daughter's laundry placed in a second bag 10, and a father's laundry placed in yet a third bag 10, all of which are placed on the same spindle 32 and all of which are washed simultaneously. The bags can be color coded with a different color or color pattern or otherwise marked with visible indicia to help associate the laundry within a particular bag with the person whose laundry is in each bag 10.

Moreover, the use of plural bags 10 allows easy separation of various garments for commercial cleaning. Thus, for example, the washable items for a single customer or person could be placed in a separate bag 30 marked or otherwise identified with indicia associated with the customer whose clothes are in the bag. Bar codes that are electronically scan able could be placed on the bags for repeated use and association with a plurality of different persons on successive uses. The bag and its garments can thus be separately washed along with other bags of garments, making it easier to sort the laundry and associate it with appropriate customer or owner.

There are thus provide a method and apparatus for washing delicate laundry in a washing machine, while maintaining the balance of the washing machine, and while separating the delicate laundry from other items in the washing machine.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention. Thus, for example, while the embodiments are described for washing laundry, the construction is not so limited and the apparatus and method could be used with non-laundry items. Further, the various features of this invention can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the invention is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments but is to be defined by the following claims when read in the broadest reasonable manner to preserve the validity of the claims. 

1. A laundry bag for washing laundry in a washing machine having a spindle with a base and a shaft perpendicular to the base, the shaft having a diameter, comprising: a bag made of a porous material, the bag having at least one spindle opening forming a spindle passage that extends through opposing walls of the bag, the spindle opening sized to allow the shaft to pass through the opening during use of the bag in washing; an access opening sized to allow laundry to be inserted into and removed from the bag; a releasable closure around at least a portion of the access opening to vary the size of the access opening.
 2. The laundry bag of claim 1, wherein the bag has two spindle openings on opposing sides of the bag, the spindle openings being sized about the same diameter as the shaft adjacent the openings during washing.
 3. The laundry bag of claim 2, wherein at least one of the spindle openings has a releasable closure around it.
 4. The laundry bag of claim 1, further comprising a strengthening member around the at least one spindle opening.
 5. The laundry bag of claim 3, further comprising a strengthening member around the at least one spindle opening.
 6. The laundry bag of claim 2, wherein each of the spindle openings has a releasable closure around it, and at least one of the spindle openings has a lock to restrain the size of that at lest one spindle opening.
 7. The laundry bag of claim 1, wherein the bag has an annular shape with the annular shape defining the spindle opening and spindle passage.
 8. The laundry bag of claim 7, wherein the access opening is on an exterior surface of the annulus and further comprising a lock on the closure to restrain the size of the access opening during washing.
 9. A laundry bag for washing clothes in a washing machine having a spindle, comprising: a mesh bag having at least one spindle opening defining the location of a spindle passageway through the bag at about the center of the bag, the spindle opening being about the same size as the spindle which is immediately adjacent the portions of the bag defining the at least one spindle opening during washing when the bag is placed on the spindle for washing; and an access opening in the bag, the access opening having a releasable closure to restrict the size of the access opening during washing.
 10. The laundry bag of claim 9, further comprising an inner wall defining the passageway through the bag and connecting to the bag.
 11. The laundry bag of claim 9, further comprising a lock on the releasable closure.
 12. The laundry bag of claim 9, wherein the passageway is defined by two opposing spindle openings formed in walls of the bag, and wherein the access opening also comprises one of the spindle openings.
 13. The laundry bag of claim 9, wherein the passageway is defined by two opposing spindle openings formed in walls of the bag, with a strengthening member around at least one of the spindle openings.
 14. The laundry bag of claim 13, wherein one of the two spindle openings is weighted to better hold the adjacent portion of the bag against the spindle during washing.
 15. A laundry bag, comprising: a mesh bag having spindle opening means for allowing passage of a spindle through the bag; and means for releasably closing the spindle opening means.
 16. The laundry bag of claim 15, further comprising lock means for releasably locking the size of the spindle opening means.
 17. The laundry bag of claim 15, further comprising means for strengthening the spindle opening means.
 18. The laundry bag of claim 15, wherein the spindle opening means further comprises an inner, annular wall.
 19. The laundry bag of claim 18, further comprising access means for placing laundry into and removing laundry from the bag.
 20. The laundry bag of claim 15, further comprising access means for placing laundry into and removing laundry from the bag.
 21. A method of washing clothing in water in a washing machine having a rotating spindle, comprising: placing laundry to be washed in a bag made of mesh material with sufficient porosity to allow the water to freely pass through the mesh during washing; placing the bag over the spindle by passing the spindle through one or more openings in the bag; washing the bag and the laundry within the bag by rotating the spindle; removing the bag from the spindle.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising removing the laundry from the bag.
 23. The method of claim 21, further comprising restraining enlargement of the at least one opening during rotation of the spindle by placing a strengthening member around the opening.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein restraining enlargement of the opening comprises attaching opposing sides of the bag with an annular wall.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein restraining enlargement of the opening comprises placing a strengthening member around two opposing openings which surround the spindle to restrain the size of the two openings during rotation.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein restraining enlargement of the at least one opening comprises placing an elastic member around the at least one opening to restrain the size of the opening during rotation.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein restraining enlargement of the at least one opening comprises placing a drawstring around the at least one opening, tightening the drawstring and locking the drawstring to define the size of the opening at least one opening during rotation.
 28. The method of claim 21, further comprising placing more than one such bag containing laundry on the same spindle during washing.
 29. The method of claim 21, further comprising placing more than one such bag containing laundry on the same spindle during washing and placing indicia on each such bag that is associated with a person whose laundry is in the bag. 